Overcharging Problem
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 198
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UPDATE September 20
I THINK it's fixed. I finally admitted defeat and hauled it in to a good local auto electric shop. They pulled out the entire 3 wire alternator system and set me up with a GM one wire alternator. It arrived on a trailer and left under its own power, so that was a good start. I have since put about 60 miles on it with no problems.
So what was the problem? I don't know, but I have a theory. First, it was without question overcharging. I burned out 3 Petronix ignitions and one battery throughout this odyssey. The system was wired wrong and in such a way that could cause overcharging. With the help of this forum I got it rewired, but my meter still indicated 15.5 volts across the battery. That's when I sought professional help. Before I left repair shop I checked the voltage, and after the complete system replacement it read 16 volts, even worse than before. The tech came out with a Fluke meter and checked it: 14.6. He put it very succinctly, " $20 meter, $400 meter." I have since confirmed that the electrical noise from the ignition system could indeed cause a false reading on a poorly shielded meter.
So for my theory. The system was wired wrong to begin with, that is for certain. However, after following the advice posted in this thread, I probably had it right. But my cheap meter still said it was wrong, electrical noise was causing an inaccurate reading. It is behaving very well so far.
I THINK it's fixed. I finally admitted defeat and hauled it in to a good local auto electric shop. They pulled out the entire 3 wire alternator system and set me up with a GM one wire alternator. It arrived on a trailer and left under its own power, so that was a good start. I have since put about 60 miles on it with no problems.
So what was the problem? I don't know, but I have a theory. First, it was without question overcharging. I burned out 3 Petronix ignitions and one battery throughout this odyssey. The system was wired wrong and in such a way that could cause overcharging. With the help of this forum I got it rewired, but my meter still indicated 15.5 volts across the battery. That's when I sought professional help. Before I left repair shop I checked the voltage, and after the complete system replacement it read 16 volts, even worse than before. The tech came out with a Fluke meter and checked it: 14.6. He put it very succinctly, " $20 meter, $400 meter." I have since confirmed that the electrical noise from the ignition system could indeed cause a false reading on a poorly shielded meter.
So for my theory. The system was wired wrong to begin with, that is for certain. However, after following the advice posted in this thread, I probably had it right. But my cheap meter still said it was wrong, electrical noise was causing an inaccurate reading. It is behaving very well so far.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
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From: Pekin, IL
I think I will just forget wiring...my head is spinning and I'm getting dizzy. Or um...maybe it's the beer. Nah...
Seriously though, I wanted to refer back to this. I don't see a subscription button in the mobile app.
Seriously though, I wanted to refer back to this. I don't see a subscription button in the mobile app.
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